Sorry this is my first post, but i really need help

[Botulism]

Okay, there is a very lengthy and heart breaking story behind this, but i will save you all the trouble and just give the basics.

I got my 2003 Acura RSX-S on the 24th from a guy who had spent 5 years of his life doing everything from dropping it, to the airbox mod and other external engine work, to new brakes and new rims, and even to doing every single oil change and small maintenance or upgrade himself. I got it for 11,000, although it was valued as high as 12000 or 12500. Now here is the bad part. On the 25th (the day after i bought my dream car) i got rear ended by an F150 while i was stopped to turn (with my signals on and everything) and he was doing about 30 mph.

So, that is the wreck (and luckily everyone is ok). My worry at first was "Oh crap this will take forever to fix," but now i am more and more worried that the appraiser from Dumb*** insurance company will say it is totaled. I have been asking around, but although many people in my family know lots about cars, their expertise is in street rods, so the way things are built now is a bit different to say the least.

I have hoped maybe i could find some fairly professional advice from you guys, so i will post the pics of before and after the wreck, hoping for some more insight into what i should expect. Thanks a lot for the help, and sorry once again that this had to be my first post here, but granted i didnt have much time as an RSX owner to build up posts.

Before:





After:







Just FYI it is perfectly drivable （i actually drove it home from the accident site), no drive train / engine / electronic damage whatsoever. Even the part of the right rear taillight still works.

So any information at all would be great, thanks.

[Slynky]

Well, sheee-it! Man, that sucks so incredibly bad. The day after !!??

I don't know if you can find someone here with the "pro" advice to give you.

So, the insurance company hasn't actually called it totaled yet, you're scared to tell them about it so far. And this scares you because you don't think you can get another good deal like you got?

I'd be checking car value on it and maybe even take it to a place, since it's driveable and get an estimate.

BUT, let's take a look at this logically because maybe you really don't even have a choice:

You HAVE to do something or else the car won't get fixed and you certainly don't want to pay for it yourself, so that leaves only one thing--insurance company.

You SHOULD have an accident report that shows the other driver at fault.

Armed with this information and report (which should keep your insurance from rising AND pay the deductible), tell the insurance company and start the process rolling.

Now, either they will declare it totaled or fix it. HIS company. I'm assuming in order to declare it totaled, it has to be near the value of the car. I say near because they will be adding in rental fees for the car you use while it's being fixed. Also, I believe, you will sign the car over to them and they will sell it for salvage (they get back some of their money here and put the screws to you).

If they declare it total, you should get a check for an amount reasonably close to the value. That's no so bad as long as it's fair because you can reasonably expect to get another one. One of the mods here just traveled to TN and got an 06 for not a whole lot more than you paid. TireMeltingRSX.

If they fix it, that's nice, too, but I've always thought factory paint was better than paint afterwards. And, then there's the inevitable "matching the paint" exactly worries. And will the repair be impeccable worries. AND, was there more damage to the drivetrain/chasis that didn't get fixed.

I hate that it happened to you because my 06 is MY dream car and I had the dealer do damage to it.

BTW, mine is silver, too. NICE wheel color!

AND, hang around... to the forum.

[rewsintegra]

i doubt that it totaled. newer cars like that ususally have to have decent frame damage. from your pictures i think you should be alright.

keep us updated on what happens though. and if it is totaled and you can buy your car back plus cash you should. pull the seats, motor, trans, and find a civic or integra shell. drop those in there and it will be much better than an rsx, and you will have the money to almost buy another

[djbme83]

from your pictures it doesn't look like it should be totaled. looks like you'll need a new hatch, rear quarter panel, rear bumper and a lot of time vaccuming out all the glass. unless there is some frame damage i wouldn't think the cost would approach near what the value of the car is. but you never know what the insurance company might say. anyway, good luck and keep us posted.

to the forum. we're sorry this had to be your first post too.

[Botulism]

(this is gonna be shorter than i would like because i had a WHOLE lot typed up and i just accidently erased the past 20 minutes worth of explaining)

--Insurance--
I have reported it but his company is dragging their feet saying they need confirmation from him, apparently he hasnt even reported the accident and they cant get a hold of him. We have faxed the police report, but they are syaing that it isnt enough.

--Damage--
My biggest worry now is the right rear quarter panel, it is crinkled from the impact and my friend, who owns a 97 acura CL, says that there is a chance that it isnt juts a detachable piece and that the body / frame is rippled on the inside just like it looks on the outside. If that is true, he said that odds are it may be impossible to fix or cost way too much in itself.

if ya wanna know any more, just ask. i had a LOT to say but like i said i accidentally deleted the message i had been typing for a long time. apparently my bad luck hasnt run out yet.

Thanks for the help so far.

EDIT
Here is a pic of that panel, closer up:



Edit again: i also forgot to mention there was some rim damage on the right rear, a small chunk was taken out, i guess by the bumper:

[C25A1guy]

This is going to be a close call. I see bumper, hatch+glass, tail light, 1/4 pannel, frame pulling, paint, etc.

[Ska]

Originally Posted by C25A1guy

This is going to be a close call. I see bumper, hatch+glass, tail light, 1/4 pannel, frame pulling, paint, etc.

That's what I was thinking, just on body damage he's got at least $5-$6k, and then paint, glass, and frame pulling, it might be pushing the $11 or $12k mark.

Also, just FIY, most insurance companies call the vehicle a total loss if the damage is higher than 75% of the book value of the car. So even if it wouldn't cost the total value of the car to fix it, they might total it anyway if it's close to that 75% mark.

[TireMeltingRSX]

Damn man, that sucks. Sorry that had to be your first post too. I'll come back to this one later.

[jhysell]

One thing no one has mentioned is that the wreck will show up on carfax now, and when-if you ever go to sell it an informed buyer will check the carfax driving down the value. I had a similar instance and the insurance totaled the car but I was able to keep the car for a percentage off the insurances offer. It worked out great cause I bought an additional and identical car and transferred the upgraded parts.

[Morketh]

Originally Posted by jhysell

One thing no one has mentioned is that the wreck will show up on carfax now, and when-if you ever go to sell it an informed buyer will check the carfax driving down the value. I had a similar instance and the insurance totaled the car but I was able to keep the car for a percentage off the insurances offer. It worked out great cause I bought an additional and identical car and transferred the upgraded parts.

Wow man, lucky for you hehe.



To OP: Yea man that really sucks, the SECOND day!!!??? Jeez man I would have cried!

I just bought my 04 RSX-S about 2 weeks ago for 14.5k I feel for you man!

[Botulism]

Thanks guys.

Well, it is about 9:30 am here, the insurance company randomly called us like at 8:15 saying that the appraiser would be out to our house shortly. He hasnt gotten here yet, but lets hope he brings some good new.

I will keep you all updated on whatever I find out.

[TireMeltingRSX]

Yeah man, definitely let us know how it works out.

[Botulism]

Ok, a flatbed tow truck just hauled her away to a body shop to get the repair process started. YES!

Well, the appraiser didnt total it, but there is still a very small chance that the body shop will find something catastrophically bad and then it will be totaled. However, as of right now, my car is NOT totaled and hopefully the repair process will go along smoothly.

I will post more info as i get it. Thanks for the support!

[duckdog]

Here's hoping the good news continues.

[TireMeltingRSX]

that sounds promising